PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Ngannou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hunter Helmsley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Frankie Ngannou has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Ngannou
vs
Helmsley

199 cm
25
265 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
265 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frankie Ngannou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hunter Helmsley !
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Lou da Vinci and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ngannou with a hook.
Helmsley with a poor takedown
and Ngannou counters with a stiff right hand.

Helmsley closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ngannou's guard.
Ngannou is trying to keep Helmsley in close.
Helmsley wants to pass the guard but Ngannou is keeping the position.
Helmsley with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Helmsley loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Helmsley is in close to Ngannou's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Helmsley postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Helmsley connects with a couple of short punches.
Ngannou keeping full guard, as Helmsley tries to pass.
Ngannou wants to stand but Helmsley is controlling the position.
Ngannou trying to strike off his back.
Ngannou seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ngannou not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Helmsley with a flurry of punches that miss.
Helmsley keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ngannou's head.
Helmsley working some strikes from top position.
Ngannou wants to stand and escape but Helmsley is having none of it.

Helmsley drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Helmsley jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Helmsley content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Helmsley trying to control the position from guard on top but Ngannou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Helmsley working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ngannou's head.
Helmsley scoring with some ground and pound.
Helmsley tries to free his leg and advance position but Ngannou is retaining full guard.
Ngannou avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Helmsley postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Helmsley makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helmsley working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ngannou's head.
Helmsley distracts Ngannou with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Ngannou is rocked!

Helmsley drops back looking for a leg! Ngannou is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ngannou manages to kick Helmsley off! Helmsley jumps back into Ngannou's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ngannou is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Helmsley is controlling him.
Helmsley loads up on a big left hand. Ngannou felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Helmsley looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Ngannou can't hide his disappointment, as Helmsley celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hunter Helmsley !
In his post fight interview, Hunter Helmsley started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.